Tobacco cigarettes market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for tobacco cigarettes in Germany saw its volume rise from 65.5 billion units in 2018 to a peak of 78.7 billion units in 2021, before moderating to 70.2 billion units by 2024. The most pronounced growth occurred in 2020, pushing consumption to 78.3 billion units. This upward trend stabilized the following year, with the market volume holding nearly level. Reports from 2021 indicate that pandemic-related factors, including consumer stockpiling and altered habits, contributed to sustained demand. This was reflected in the strong global performance of leading manufacturers like Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, which indirectly supported the German market.

After a contraction in 2022, the market experienced a slight recovery in 2024. By this time, significant developments were underway, characterized by the accelerated launch and commercialization of smoke-free alternatives such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products by major international firms. Concurrently, the regulatory environment evolved with the adoption of new EU-wide packaging rules, setting larger mandatory health warnings for tobacco products. These elements, alongside a growing consumer focus on harm reduction and sustainability, introduced new dynamics to the cigarette market landscape in Germany.

Production tobacco cigarettes in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Tobacco cigarette production in Germany has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 253 million US dollars, marking a substantial decrease of 18.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 33.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 969 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 22.3%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 at 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, B unit

Tobacco cigarette production in Germany has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 57.2 billion units were produced, representing a decline of 43.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 61.7%, which equates to an annualized rate of 27.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, B unit

Exports tobacco cigarettes from Germany

Exports in kind, B unit

Exported tobacco cigarette volumes from Germany have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 67.1 billion units, down by 35.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 56.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, B unit

From 2017 to 2020, exports of tobacco cigarettes from Germany were distributed across many countries. Spain accounted for 17.7% of exports in kind, Italy for 13.2%, and France for 13.0%, with these three countries jointly making up only 43.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Tobacco cigarette deliveries from Germany have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 1 369 million US dollars, down by 41.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 55.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market base for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. Italy accounted for 19.4% of exports in value terms, Spain for 18.5%, and France for 11.1%, with these three countries jointly representing just 49.0% of total flows. The remaining 51.0% was shared among numerous other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports tobacco cigarettes to Germany

Imports in kind, B unit

Foreign tobacco cigarette supplies to Germany have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany imported 88.2 billion units, up by 25.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 52.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, B unit

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Czechia, and Romania were the main sources for imports in kind of tobacco cigarettes to Germany. Poland accounted for 68.9% of imports in kind, Czechia for 10.1%, and Romania for 5.0%, with these three countries together forming 84.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign tobacco cigarette supplies to Germany have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany imported a total of 1 511 million US dollars worth of tobacco cigarettes, which is 18.2% more than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 99.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 26.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Poland remained the leading supplier of tobacco cigarettes to Germany, accounting for 72.7% of total imports in value terms. The rest was distributed across many other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020